Axed veteran coach opens up over behind-the-scenes drama

A MUCH-loved basketball coach has opened up about his sudden exit from the club, admitting “players weren’t getting along the best”.

RESPECTED basketball coach Ricardo Lawyer admits he was left without answers over his shock Seahawks dumping, but concedes not all was well with the QBL club.

Speaking publicly for the first time since being axed in June as the state league coach of North Gold Coast, the veteran American mentor says he was left clueless over the reasons for his exit.

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Competing in the QBL for the first time in 2018, the Seahawks were winless from their opening 10 matches before Lawyer’s sacking.

Seahawks officials did not return phone calls to the Bulletin.

Axed Seahawks men's QBL coach Ricardo Lawyer. Picture: North Gold Coast Seahawks

“They (club officials) called me in and said they were the bearer of bad news and I took it as that,” the 64-year-old coach said.

“I didn’t pursue it and just left it.

“I really don’t know (why I was axed) and they didn’t give me too many answers.

“We had some losses and no wins so I assume that’s the reason.”

While adamant he holds no grudges, Lawyer admitted disappointment after laying the groundwork for the foundation season.

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“You put a lot of time into it; we started before Christmas with recruiting and other things,” he said.

“It was a process to get the team off the ground.

“In the real world you’d say that (it was always going to take time) but I’m an ex player and I’m used to winning.

“I was expecting wins; I always expect wins.”

Lawyer’s sacking is not the first drama for the Seahawks this season.

US import Walter Pitchford was axed in April amid concerns over his ability to get along with teammates.

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Lawyer hinted that some problems may have lingered.

“The players weren’t getting along the best,” he said.

“There was nothing out of the ordinary but we had some issues.”

Veteran Seahawks player Adam Tyrus has since taken over as head coach – leading the club to three wins from seven starts – though Lawyer remains listed in the role on the club’s website.

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After an extensive coaching career in the Middle East and Australia, where he still works with Coomera Anglican College, Lawyer said he could “use that expertise somewhere else”.

He did, however, commit to helping out North Gold Coast in any role he could.